Going Long (again) in 2024

Mackinac Island 8 Miles

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Location:

Garson - Sudbury,ON,Canada

Member Since:

Apr 20, 2013

Gender:

Male

Goal Type:

Other

Running Accomplishments:

I ran my first marathon in 1998: "The Friendly Marathon" in Massey, Ontario.  I was 32. I had never raced in a shorter event, and I trained really poorly - ended up running it in 4:00:30.  After that, I gave up running for the most part for 6 years.  I got into karate a bit more seriously, until I got my knee kicked out and had ACL surgery.  Then I became a 'fair weather runner' and started to run half marathons every so often.  As a priest, entering weekend races always meant having to book a holiday, so it just didn't happen much.  My holidays were primarily focussed on various canoe and kayak trips.

At some point, I started training more consistently, and started to think of myself as a runner.  I guess doing that in your 40's is better than never doing it at all.  I even started to wonder if I had it in me to qualify for Boston.  Well, I did.  First time didn't count, I suppose, since I didn't make the "cut".  But the second time was a charm, and on my sixth Marathon, run in Chicago in 2015, I beat my BQ by almost 6 minutes.  And now, running a BQ is routine for me, not that I have any desire to run Boston again.

Through it all, I've made tons of mistakes - and have had lots of injuries to show for it.  Hopefully, now that I'm in my late 50's, I'm a bit wiser and can use that to my advantage to continue running for a very long time.

My PRs:

5k (12 run):      Guelph, ON.     October 10, 2016   (50 yrs.)   20:10

10k (10 run):    Collingwood      October 5, 2013  (47 yrs.)  43:37

Half Marathon  (25 run): Cleveland   May 18, 2014  (48 yrs)  1:33:08

Marathon (12 run):  Ste-Jerome, QC  October 3, 2021   (55 yrs.)  3:22:10

Ultras (5 run):   

Run for the Toad 50k Trail   September 30, 2017 (51 yrs.)  5:31:23

Niagara Falls 100k   June 17, 2018 (52 yrs.)  12:26:30

That Dam Hill 24 hours   September 15-16, 2018  Completed 100 Miles in 23:20:44

Sulphur Springs 50 mile Trail   May 25, 2019  10:37:27

Haliburton Forest 100 mile Trail   September 7-8, 2019  26:46:27

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Pacing my sister in her 1st Half Marathon.

Short-Term Running Goals:

After a broken right foot in 2022 in the later stages of a marathon training cycle, then adjusting to a 1/2" heal lift in my right shoe to compensate for a leg length discrepancy, and then a left plank plate rupture in the late summer of 2023, I had to decide:  go fast or go long.  I opted for long, for this year at least.

May 2024:  Sulphur Springs 50 Mile Trail (revisiting it after 5 years)

July 2024:  Limberlost 54KM Trail

September 2024:  Haliburton 100 Mile Trail (also revisiting it after 5 years).

Everything this year is really focussed on the Haliburton 100 as my key event.  After that, and depending on how things go, I'll reevaluate.

Long-Term Running Goals:

Run until this old body of mine won't let me run any more.  I was inspired in the Spring of 2016, watching the start of the Ottawa Marathon.  Near the back of the pack was an 'old man', running with his walker.  I loved it!  I thought ... there's me in 20 years.  Maybe.  

Personal:

I am a Roman Catholic priest of 30 years, ministering in the Diocese of Sault Ste. Marie.  I spent 8 years ministering in the small town of Wawa (where I helped establish the annual Blackfly Run) and 9 years in Sault Ste. Marie.  I have been in the Sudbury region now for 13 years.  Currently I Pastor 2 small Parishes:  St. John the Evangelist in Garson, and St. Bernardine of Siena in Skead, covering the area just Northeast of the city, surrounding the Sudbury Airport.

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Miles:This week: 12.00 Month: 117.50 Year: 516.50
Mizuno Wave Sayonara 2 Lifetime Miles: 412.40
Brooks Cascadia 11 Lifetime Miles: 302.00
Salomon Speedcross 4 Lifetime Miles: 160.25
Brooks Launch 8 Lifetime Miles: 153.00
Asics Metaspeed Sky Lifetime Miles: 32.20
Brooks Ghost 13 Lifetime Miles: 358.50
Saucony Triumph 18 Lifetime Miles: 372.50
Ghost 13 Blue Sole Lifetime Miles: 363.00
Hoka Bondi Lifetime Miles: 362.00
Triumph 18 Treadmill Lifetime Miles: 120.50
Hoka Bondi 8 Treadmill Lifetime Miles: 54.50
Total Distance
106.75
Brooks Glycerin Miles: 56.75Enigma Miles: 50.00
Weight: 159.03
Total Distance
4.00

Ran an easy 8:45 pace.  Right heel a little sore; same as groin, but not as bad as last week.  I'm going to run two more 3 milers over the next 2 days, and then rest before the 8 mile race on Saturday.

Brooks Glycerin Miles: 4.00
Weight: 159.50
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Total Distance
3.00

Just a nice, relaxed 8:53 pace and only 3 miles - no pain issues noticed.

Enigma Miles: 3.00
Weight: 159.50
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Total Distance
3.00

Three easy miles at an 8:43 pace.

Enigma Miles: 3.00
Weight: 159.50
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Race: Mackinac Island 8 Miles (8 Miles) 01:01:17, Place overall: 73, Place in age division: 8
Total Distance
8.00

Well, this was my 1st race since Detroit almost a year ago.  It was meant to be a test for me to see how I've come along since that torn tendon.  So, I had no intention of racing hard.  I did well, however, and I felt great and did better than expected.  My goal was to run an 8 minute/mile pace.  I ended up with an average of 7:40 minute/mile and felt strong throughout.  My splits were:

7:25, 7:43, 7:46, 7:40, 7:41, 7:37, 7:40 and 7:32

The day was comfortable (21 Celcius) but very humid.  That made it a bit more challenging.

I started off too fast for sure, but mid-way through the 1st mile settled down to a fairly steady pace.  Both my right AT and left PF were sore from the minute I woke up in the morning, and continued that way no matter how much I stretched.  However, by mile 2 those pains were entirely gone.

It's a flat course, but where there was an uphill, I ran on my forefoot.  The rest I ran with a regular heel strike.  So, about 2 miles forefoot strike.  That really helped, and so I can see how in my training, I'll have to use both types of foot strikes.

My groin was never an issue when running, but sure felt tight when I finished.  I'll wait and see how it feels tomorrow.

The toughest part was sitting for almost 6 hours right after as I had to drive home for Mass tonight.  Really stiffened up.

I ran my own race and it shows.  At the end, I could have sprinted a bit faster, but chose to keep my pace and so I felt comfortable at the end.  I'm really pleased with this result.

I finished 8th of 77 in my division and 73rd of 1302 runners overall.  I will take it easy for a few days.  Based on this experience, I'm thinking I'll run the 6.6 Sault race in 3 weeks and likely the 10km Collingwood race the weekend after IF no issues appear in the meantime.

 

Brooks Glycerin Miles: 8.00
Weight: 0.00
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Total Distance
3.00

All systems go, it appears.  No PF or AT tendon pain at all.  Still tightness in the groin.  Having a massage later today to work out the final kinks.  Comfortable 8:48 pace.

Enigma Miles: 3.00
Weight: 161.00
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Total Distance
4.00

Ran an easy 4 (8:44 pace).

Now, my massage therapist figures it is a hip alignment issue causing my groin pain.  After manipulating my left leg and hip, there was a distinctive "pop" as it went into alignment.  She figures that was the source of the problem and the solution.

I have to say that although there is some lingering groin pain today during my run, it's not as significant.  So, I don't know if it's something now that will fade away or if there is something else that needs time to heal.  Either way, I'll have to focus now on hip stretches in addition to everything else.

Brooks Glycerin Miles: 4.00
Weight: 158.50
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Total Distance
5.00

Easy 8:48 pace.

Enigma Miles: 5.00
Weight: 159.50
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Total Distance
5.00

Ran an even 8:42 pace.  Will take tomorrow off and then 9 miles on Saturday.

Brooks Glycerin Miles: 5.00
Weight: 159.00
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Total Distance
0.00

Iron Strength Workout.

Weight: 160.00
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Total Distance
9.00

A good run, at an average pace of 8:48.  No issues to speak of - felt great!  First frost of the season, so a cold run with gloves, long sleeves and running pants.

Enigma Miles: 9.00
Weight: 157.50
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Total Distance
5.00

Ran a bit faster than planned - an 8:33 pace.  But felt great doing it!

Brooks Glycerin Miles: 5.00
Weight: 158.50
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Total Distance
4.00

Ran an 8:34 pace (a little too fast, I know).  First time in a very long time - no groin pain!  Hurray!

Brooks Glycerin Miles: 4.00
Weight: 159.50
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Total Distance
5.00

Ran an 8:41 pace.

Enigma Miles: 5.00
Weight: 158.00
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Total Distance
4.00

Ran an 8:55 pace.  Heavy legs for some reason today.  No energy.  Don't know what that's about.  Rest day tomorrow and then 10 miles on Saturday.

Brooks Glycerin Miles: 4.00
Weight: 158.00
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Total Distance
0.00

Iron Strength Workout.

Weight: 159.00
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Total Distance
10.00

Ran a pace of 8:50, with the second half faster (by 12 seconds/mile) than the 1st.  Felt good throughout.

Brooks Glycerin Miles: 10.00
Weight: 159.50
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Total Distance
6.00

Kept a controlled pace of just under 9 minutes/mile for the 1st 4 miles, then picked it up for the final 2.  Felt great!

Brooks Glycerin Miles: 6.00
Weight: 159.00
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Total Distance
6.00

Enigma Miles: 6.00
Weight: 0.00
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Total Distance
6.00

Enigma Miles: 6.00
Weight: 0.00
Add Comment
Total Distance
6.00

Enigma Miles: 6.00
Weight: 0.00
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Race: Sault Michigan Bridge Run (6.76 Miles) 00:50:51, Place overall: 10, Place in age division: 2
Total Distance
6.75

This was the 4th Annual Bridge Run in Sault Ste. Marie, MI.  What a beautiful day for running!  It was 11 Celcius at the start.  I mistakingly thought it would be colder, and so ran in long sleeves and pants.  Should have gone shorts and short sleeves.  Still, a good run.

I just wanted to treat this as a tempo run, as next Saturday I want to race a 10 km and, hopefully, achieve a PB in it.  This run is over the international bridge and back, and so major hills for over half the distance and right at the beginning.

My splits were:  7:55  7:44  8:10  7:42  7:02  7:03  and   6:56 (that last one was the part mile), for a total of 50:51 at an average pace of 7:31 over 6.76 miles.

Now, I've run this 3 times - this distance twice and the half marathon 2 years ago.  I've always felt the Bridge Run was further than 6.6 miles.  I don't know why they don't just make it a 10 km run.  Anyway, this is the 1st year I've used my GPS watch on it, and it shows it as 6.76 miles, or a full .11 miles further than they say it is (almost half a lap).  They do say it's uncertified.  So, the time and distance I'm showing are from my own watch.  I'm waiting for the official results to be posted online.

From memory, my time is the same, give or take a few seconds, but my pace shows as 7:35/mile, rather than 7:31/mile. so they are using the shorter distance.

Still, I came in 10th over all and second in my age category.  Better, I felt strong throughout the race and was able to give it a good kick over the last 3 miles at that sustained pace.  That was where the course flattened out.

I'll cut back on the miles this week, and keep an eye on Collingwood next Saturday.

Brooks Glycerin Miles: 6.75
Weight: 159.00
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Total Distance
4.00

Pace of 8:35

Enigma Miles: 4.00
Weight: 158.00
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Total Distance
106.75
Brooks Glycerin Miles: 56.75Enigma Miles: 50.00
Weight: 159.03
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